University of Hawaii System newsletter

Former Hawaiʻi Chief Justice William S. Richardson—the founder, namesake and staunch advocate for Mānoa’s law school—died on June 21 at the age of 90.

Richardson is a former chief justice of the Hawai‘i State Supreme Court, having served in that capacity from 1966 to 1982. He later served as a trustee of what is now Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate. Prior to his service as the top jurist in Hawaiʻi, Richardson was lieutenant governor under John A. Burns. Before that, he was in the private practice of law, was an advocate for statehood and served as chairman of the Hawaiʻi Democratic Party from 1956 to 1962.

Before his retirement from the bar, Richardson was memorialized with the naming of the law school in his honor. The William S. Richardson School of Law is the state’s only law school and is considered by many to be his crowning achievement, having fought for its establishment for decades.

Respects may be paid at the William S. Richardson School of Law Moot Courtroom Thurs., July 8, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. A memorial service is planned on Fri., July 9, 11:30 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Cathedral near downtown Honolulu.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to William S. Richardson–Realizing the Dream fund through the UH Foundation.